Huayu Entertainment: Starting with Exorcising Evil from a Film Queen

As Zhao Liying looked at the plastic bag dangling in Zhang Ze's hand and smelled the familiar, spicy aroma of food, the awkwardness and panic on her face were somewhat overshadowed by a sudden feeling of hunger.

She spent the whole day lost in thought, frequently spacing out on set, and was scolded by the director several times.

Breakfast and lunch were like swallowing wax; I didn't even have time to eat them.

"What are you standing there for? Come and eat."

Zhang Ze laid out the food on the only small table in the hut.

A plate of bright red Mapo Tofu and a plate of glistening, oily shredded pork with garlic sauce are both her favorites.

"oh."

Zhao Liying moved somewhat stiffly as she slowly sat down.

She picked up her chopsticks, but only ate small bites of the white rice in her bowl, not daring to pick up any vegetables, and even less daring to look at Zhang Ze across from her.

The scenes from last night played on repeat in her mind like a movie; she was so bold.

How could I, who usually only calls people brothers and is very easygoing, do such a thing?

"What's wrong? Don't you like the food?" Zhang Ze's voice was calm. He picked up a large piece of shredded pork with garlic sauce and put it into her almost untouched bowl.

"No..." Zhao Liying's voice was barely audible, and she lowered her head even further.

"That means you have something on your mind."

Zhao Liying tightened her grip on the chopsticks, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

The aroma of food filled the cramped rented room, but she couldn't eat a single bite.

"Zhang Ze".

She suddenly spoke, her voice not loud, but it broke the suffocating silence.

"Hmm?" Zhang Ze was picking up a piece of shredded pork with garlic sauce when he heard this and looked up at her.

"I..." Zhao Liying raised her head, her large, dark eyes glistening with tears. It was as if she had used all her strength to say the rest of her words, "I like you."

"But we can't be in a relationship."

These words made Zhang Ze stop clearing the dishes.

He didn't respond immediately, but just looked at her quietly, waiting for her to continue.

"I am a contracted artist with Huayi Brothers." Zhao Liying spoke quickly, as if reciting a prepared line, or as if afraid that if she stopped, she would not have the courage to continue. "It is clearly stated in the company contract that dating without consent is strictly prohibited. If the company finds out, it is a unilateral breach of contract."

She lowered her eyes, looking at the untouched mountain of rice in her bowl, her voice revealing a weariness and bitterness beyond her years.

"The consequences of breaching the contract... are very serious."

"Not only will I have to pay compensation that I could never earn in my entire life, but I may also never be able to get any roles in this industry again."

She forced a self-deprecating smile.

"I'm different from you. I haven't received much education, and my family doesn't have any connections. I have no way out."

"I can't do anything except act."

"If I stop acting and go back to my hometown, I can probably only find a sales job in the county town that doesn't require a degree. I'll barely make enough to support myself each month, let alone help support my family."

Her words painted a clear and desperate picture.

"Then comes blind dates, marriage, getting married, having children... I can see what my life will be like if I close my eyes."

"But I don't want to live that kind of life."

She raised her head again, her voice soft, but each word seemed to be squeezed out from between her teeth, carrying a stubborn refusal to bow to fate: "I want to be a big star, I want to make lots and lots of money!"

Therefore, she cannot breach the contract, nor can she afford the exorbitant penalty for breach of contract.

After she finished speaking, she stared intently at Zhang Ze, her eyes as if awaiting a judgment. She had given him all the power of choice.

"What happened last night... if you feel... just treat it as a dream."

Her voice trailed off, "I...I don't blame you."

She laid everything out on the table, then lowered her head like a prisoner awaiting sentencing.

Zhang Ze was indeed somewhat shaken.

Zhang Ze knew that Zhao Liying's future success was inseparable from her workaholic personality, and her focus on her career was understandable.

It would be too extravagant to give up on a future top female star and ratings queen just because she can't publicly date!

As for the title of boyfriend and girlfriend, he actually takes it more lightly than anyone else.

Having already stepped into the dazzling and glamorous entertainment industry, it's naive to still be hung up on pure love or the status of boyfriend and girlfriend. Do you really think you can make it in this industry?

That's utterly delusional.

In this circle, it's common to be apart most of the time, and there are countless beautiful women around, with all sorts of temptations blooming everywhere.

He is not a saint, nor does he want to be one.

Besides, once he becomes famous and holds a high position, the actresses who are eager to have in-depth discussions with him about scripts will line up from the film crew's entrance all the way outside Hengdian World Studios.

Any normal man would find it hard to hold back in this kind of environment.

It's not that the entertainment industry is too chaotic; it's just that the benefits and resources that can be exchanged for sex are so numerous that most people would abandon their so-called principles and bottom lines.

As for the future?

He is a Taoist practitioner, so his strong physique and longevity are a given.

It's too early to talk about marriage now. Who knows, your own child might even pass away before you. Wouldn't it be a nightmare for an elderly person to bury their child?

The Buddhist saying goes, "If I don't go to hell, who will?"

Zhang Zexiu's philosophy emphasizes following the natural way.

Our ancestors said, "The highest good is like water, which benefits all things without striving."

He felt that he should be like water, formless and shapeless, nourishing all things.

The entertainment industry is like a vast forest. He has only just stepped in and hasn't even had his fill of the scenery yet. How can he let a single tree hold him back?

Thinking about this, Zhang Ze's plans for the future became even clearer.

He suddenly chuckled softly, the sound particularly clear in the quiet room.

He reached out and casually ruffled Zhao Liying's fluffy head. "What are you thinking? When did I say I was going to blame you?"

His warm and strong hand instantly relaxed Zhao Liying's tense body.

She looked up abruptly, her eyes already red, staring in astonishment at the relaxed smile on his face.

Zhang Ze picked up his chopsticks, slowly took a bite of food, chewed it carefully, and then said unhurriedly, "When two people are together, happiness is the most important thing."

"What's the point of that title? Just to make yourself miserable?"

Zhao Liying was stunned; she had imagined countless possibilities.

Zhang Ze might be angry, or he might think she's an irresponsible woman, or he might coldly agree and pretend nothing happened.

She never expected him to react this way.

These words sounded like those of a scumbag, but for some reason, the fact that he said them so casually made her feel relieved, as if a huge weight had been hanging over her heart for a long time. She even felt a strange sense of peace.